In Plain Sight

This week, Andrew and Simon speak to Kate Champion , Artistic Director at Black Swan State Theatre Company in Perth, Western Australia, about their 2026 program. Black Swan is committed to inclusion and accessibility in the arts, and Kate shares their accessibility initiatives with us, which include audio description, tactile tours and Auslan interpretation. A season of bold voices and fresh persp...

This week, Simon revisits his conversations with three staff members from  DADAA , a West Australian arts organisation finding creative ways to reduce disadvantage in the arts for people with disability. DADAA stands for Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts, Australia. DADAA aspires to be a voice of ambition, daring, and innovation, providing opportunities for creative expression...

Join Simon and Andrew on a journey of discovery as they travel with Ben Yew from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to the sleepy seaside town of Bunbury, Western Australia. While Ben was looking for a spark to inspire him as he recovered from cancer, he was motivated to try to inspire others who might be going through a similar situation. Ben is a renowned award winning brilliant pho...

This week, join Simon and Andrew as they chat to the founding members of the band The Grand Delusions Art Karnasuta  (Vocals, guitar) and Emmanuel (Manny) Lee  (Keyboard) about their mission to inspire community involvement through music. Art and Manny discuss how they manage their respective vision impairments while encouraging others to join in community activities. Reinforcing th...

This week, Simon and Andrew are joined by Paul Grace , author of Operation Hurricane: the story of Britain's first atomic test in Australia and the legacy that remains , the fascinating story behind Australia’s first nuclear weapons test. Paul takes us on a captivating journey through the dramatic events of 1952, when the British detonated a nuclear bomb off the Montebello Islands on Western...

This week on the show Simon and Andrew chat to the Honourable Dr Tony Buti MLA about his recent appearance at the Totally Lit festival in Fremantle, where he hosted a panel discussion on his book 'Alkira' written about his daughter with Cri-du-chat syndrome. The discussion delves into his personal experience as a father raising a child with Cri-du-chat, and the struggles Tony and his wife Mandy fa...

This week, Andrew and Simon are joined by Peter Stotzer , a long-term volunteer presenter at Vision Australia Radio Perth. Peter hosts the wonderful 'Sites, Sounds & Songs', a program taking listeners on a virtual journey of different locations around the world, each paired with a personally chosen song that captures the spirit of the place. We also explore Peter’s passion for cycling, a...

Join us as we discover the delights of the 'Totally Lit' Festival . From 26 September to 10 October in Fremantle/Walyalup, WA’s city of literature will come alive with a bright array of a variety of literature, books readings and discussions, showcasing some of the great authors and creators from WA and beyond. We talk with Festival curator/producer Sharon Flindell to learn about this f...

Join us as we speak with  Ethan Kavanagh , the creator of podcast 'The Perth Tourist'. This unique innovative podcast is designed to provide an immersive audio described tour of well-known Perth landmarks and locations. Both entertaining and informative, 'The Perth Tourist' is really great and accessible for everyone, especially people who are blind or have low vision. In the past, Ethan, wit...

Lily Gaulton is a truly impressive young person; coming in on her 12th birthday to chat about being a disability advocate, winning numerous awards for her efforts and her debut novel, Blossom, publishing later this year. She is already demonstrating great leadership and determination, with an impressive list of advocacy based activities and acknowledgements.  Come and discover the marvelous a...

This week on the show Simon and Andrew chat to Jenni Crowther the WA state manager of Cérge, a companion website designed to help people with disability access venues. The Australian company allows users to see what accessible functions a venue has before visiting. Essentially being a remote recce to make sure the space accommodates you, any mobility aids or requirements. This web tool can...

If you can move your arm or your hand, or express yourself no matter how minimally: you can dance. We are delighted to be joined this week by the effervescent Rayna Lamb, a dynamic disability advocate and passionate dancer. Rayna shares her stories and experiences, from forming Women With Disabilities WA to performing in an upcoming groundbreaking production of The Little Mermaid. To learn more ab...

Join us as we explore the world of Deafblindness. Our guest this week, Hannah McPierzie , is the Chairperson of Deafblind West Australians (DBWA). She gives us an insight into the great work DBWA is doing and how they support their community. Hannah also shares a little of her own personal story, which led her to be in a leadership role with this organisation. DBWA has developed a new leadership p...

Patrick Gunasekera is a creator, performer and producer working across theatre, dance, music and writing. His art is driven by a heartfelt interest in change. The stories he creates often explore how systems of oppression are normalised by everyday people and what agency and power looks like from a marginalised perspective. This interview profiles Patrick and his approach to his work as well as hi...

This week Simon and Abby speak to Melanie Hawkes - writer, advocate, and West Australian Director for Physical Disability Australia. Melanie is also a member of the Society of Women Writers WA and recent winner of the prestigious Jennifer Burbidge Short Story Award. A strong advocate and bold communicator, Melanie shares her passion for self-exploration and creativity in a fun, engaging conversati...

In this episode, we speak with Maddison Malins, a Year 12 student and Vision Australia Radio volunteer. Blind since age 11, Maddie is studying media and building skills in radio and podcasting. She talks about her path so far; including her involvement in the show "Happy Pants," her passion for music, and plans for life after school. A thoughtful profile of a young storyteller making her mark. Sup...

This week, Simon chats to William Morgan , who's passionate about singing and sound production. Williams sings int he Perth pride Choir and the Humdrum Choir, which he also helps organise. William is a caring, vibrant member of the Perth disability community and in this uplifting discussion he shares openly about all that music and the choir communities bring to his life. Find out more about the P...

This week Simon and Andrew take a moment to reflect by revisiting past conversations with four different guests who struck a chord with Simon for their leadership and advocacy work. You'll hear from Nihal Iscel , WA Women’s Hall of Fame inductee for her advocacy work, about how she strives to bring people together to create community, and how resilience is an essential ingredient in bec...

When it comes to digital accessibility, this week's guest is both passionate and knowledgeable. Dr Scott Hollier is the CEO and co-founder of  Centre For Accessibility Australia (CFAA), and chatted to Simon about what's new and emerging in the technology spaces that can be of assistance to people with a disability. CFAA is calling for nominations for the Australian Access Awards, which c...

Meet Maxine Drake : a powerful voice for inclusion and human rights. As an advocate with Developmental Disability WA, Maxine stands up for students with disabilities and brings passion, heart, and action to the disability movement. In this thought-provoking chat, Simon and Maxine explore advocacy, pride, dignity, and what it really takes to create an accessible world where everyone belongs. Acknow...

This week on In Plain Sight, we revisit a fabulous conversation from the beginning of our program's journey with the very talented  Eliza Hull , musical artist, writer, journalist, and disability advocate based in Victoria. They have a fascinating chat in which Eliza openly shares insights about her struggles and successes. Be sure to connect with Eliza through her website or Facebook page ....

Deafblind Awareness Week (the last week of June) honours Helen Keller’s birthday and shines a light on the Deafblind community. To mark the occasion, Deafblind West Australians have a special event celebrating connection, creativity, and advocacy. This week on our podcast, meet Deborah Kazich , Deafblind advocate sharing her vibrant, active life, and Linni Oliver , a dedicated Communication...

In the lead-up to International Albinism Awareness Day on June 13th, we speak with Karin Boulton , a third-year physiotherapy student, disability advocate, and member of the Albinism Fellowship of Australia. Karin shares her lived experiences with albinism and her role in creating spaces for community, support, connection, and leadership as a founding member of Emerging Voices of Young Leaders (EV...

"Don't give people a hand-out, give them a hand up." A motto that this week's guest, Dr Rita Kleinfeld-Fowell , lives by every day. Legally Deaf and blind, Rita has faced - and overcome - immense challenges. Through resilience, strength and determination, she has transformed adversity into advocacy, using her lived experience to support and uplift others. Now Head of Disability Law Practice at Sus...

This week Simon and Abby chat with two guests. First up, Vanessa Jessett from People with disabilities Western Australia (PWdWA) about their upcoming State Conference; what’s planned, and why it matters. Also joining us is the fabulous  Mallika Macleod from Empowered Connections (a role linked with Valued Lives), sharing her work in peer support and her conference session on supporting...